6 November 2017 (WMO) - It is very likely that 2017 will be one of the three hottest years on record, with many high-impact events including catastrophic hurricanes and floods, debilitating heatwaves and drought. Long-term indicators of climate change such as increasing carbon dioxide concentrations, sea level rise and ocean acidification continue unabated. Arctic sea ice coverage remains below average and previously stable Antarctic sea ice extent was at or near a record low.

This map illustrates the tropical cyclone MARIA-17 path with low, medium and strong wind impact zones observed and predicted at 18 September 2017. The tropical cyclone path and wind speed zones were derived from Joint Research Centre data (Warning 8 issued the 18 th September 2017 at 09:00 UTC). This is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to UNITARUNOSAT.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General is saddened by the destruction across the Caribbean region by Hurricane Maria in a context where many islands are already working to respond to the devastation and suffering arising from Hurricane Irma earlier this month.

The Secretary-General commends the collaborative efforts of the various Governments, international agencies and non-governmental organizations in responding to this crisis.

After weathering Hurricane Irma just days ago, residents in the Caribbean are bracing for yet another potentially destructive threat gathering strength in the Atlantic.

Hurricane Maria has intensified to a Category 3 storm and is expected to gain strength to a Category 4 before making landfall in Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Maria’s first landfall is expected to occur Monday night on the islands of Dominica and Martinique.

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS — Hurricane Maria has intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson wind scale and is expected to strengthen further, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Monday.

Hurricane Maria was about 35 miles (55 km) northeast of Martinique, with maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour (215 km per hour), the Miami-based weather forecaster said.

This map illustrates the tropical cyclone MARIA-17 path with low, medium and strong wind impact zones observed and predicted at 18 September 2017. The tropical cyclone path and wind speed zones were derived from Joint Research Centre data (Warning 8 issued the 18 th September 2017 at 09:00 UTC). This is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to UNITARUNOSAT.

Sept 18 (Reuters) - A second powerful storm in as many weeks was bearing down on a string of battered Caribbean islands, with forecasters saying Maria would strengthen rapidly into a major hurricane as it ripped into the Leeward Islands on Monday night.